CHP officer is 5th killed in 2 months

The Associated Press

Two California Highway Patrol officers were struck and killed on roadsides on the same day during the weekend, bringing to five the number of CHP line-of-duty deaths in less than two months, authorities said Monday.

Officer Brett Oswald, 47, of Paso Robles was killed Sunday evening while waiting for a tow truck to remove an abandoned car from a road near Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County.

A woman lost control of her Toyota Corolla and rear-ended his patrol car, CHP and county sheriff's officials said.

Oswald, a 21-year CHP veteran, was hurled into the air and landed on the woman's car, authorities said.

The driver was not injured. There was no immediate citation or arrest.

"Officer Oswald was a real hero; one of California's bravest. He risked his life day in and day out to protect the safety of Californians," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement Monday.

Another CHP officer died earlier Sunday about 200 miles away in the San Bernardino County desert town of Barstow.

Officer Justin McGrory, 28, of Victorville, and another officer had stopped a car on Interstate 15 at about 3:30 a.m. when another car veered onto the shoulder and hit him, authorities said.

Rafael Garcia, 18, of Las Vegas, was arrested for investigation of vehicular manslaughter.

Flags at the capitol will be flown at half-staff in honor of the officers, Schwarzenegger said in his statement.

"It has been a difficult time for our law enforcement family and the state of California, losing five of our Highway Patrol officers since May," the governor said. "Each has been a terrible loss for our state, and together they underscore what a dangerous job our CHP officers face every day. We can all help prevent tragedies and save lives by giving our officers space when they are making a traffic stop."

Motorcycle Officer Tom Coleman, 33, of Fontana died on June 11 after hitting a tractor-trailer while chasing a car at speeds of up to 100 mph in the San Bernardino County town of Redlands. His motorcycle crashed and burst into flames.

Richard Perez, 20, of Redlands was later arrested and has pleaded not guilty to murder with a special allegation of causing a peace officer's death. He could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

Motorcycle Officer Phillip Ortiz died last week at a hospital. He was injured June 9 after being struck on the shoulder of Interstate 405 in Los Angeles.

Witnesses said that a car traveling on the shoulder to pass slower traffic hit the officer, shoving him and his motorcycle into a sport utility vehicle that he had stopped.

On May 7, a CHP pilot was killed when his plane went down in a desert area of Imperial County.